Vice Chairman of Agege Local Government says loyalty to Speaker Mudashiru Obasa and party unity supersedes personal ambition.
Byline:
By IDNN Political Bureau | April 24, 2025
[LAGOS] — Oluwagbenga Abiola, the Vice Chairman of Agege Local Government Area and a former aspirant for the upcoming July 12 local council elections, has denied media reports claiming he was pressured to step aside for Abdulganiyu Obasa, son of the Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa.
In an interview with journalists on Wednesday in Lagos, Abiola described the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s decision to field Obasa’s son as a unanimous party choice and reaffirmed his unwavering loyalty to both the party and the Speaker.
“I will never go against my leader, Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa. This is the man who made me. My entire political journey is tied to his guidance,” Abiola said.
Party First, Ambition Second
While admitting that he had ambitions to contest for the LG chairmanship post, Abiola stressed that personal goals must always bow to party consensus. He praised the Speaker for mentoring him over the years and declared his full support for Abdulganiyu Obasa’s candidacy.
“Every Vice Chairman dreams of becoming Chairman. But the party has spoken, and I fully agree. I trust my leader. He knows what’s best,” he said.
Abiola detailed how Speaker Obasa’s support helped shape his political trajectory—from Special Assistant on Media in 2015 to Sole Administrator in 2016, and later Secretary to the Local Government in 2017 before becoming Vice Chairman in 2021.
Defending Loyalty Amid Public Scrutiny
Amid growing concerns about political dynasties and internal democracy within Lagos APC, Abiola’s statement appears intended to quell speculation of internal friction within the party’s Agege chapter.
“Leaders and stakeholders have united. They’ve asked the Speaker to allow his son to contest. I respect and support that,” he noted.
He also urged his supporters to rally behind the APC and work for a smooth electoral victory come July.
Political Background
The Lagos APC council elections have often drawn criticism for godfatherism, candidate imposition, and lack of internal primaries. While some view Obasa’s son’s nomination as another example of dynastic politics, others argue it reflects long-term political grooming and continuity.
“We may not like the optics, but this is how Lagos politics has been structured—through loyalty, hierarchy, and mentorship,” says political analyst Tunde Fagbenro of the Lagos Policy Forum.
External Resources
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Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) – 2025 Election Guidelines
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Analysis: Political Dynasties in Nigerian Local Governance – TheCable
A Thought-Provoking Close: Loyalty or Lost Voice?
Abiola’s statement is a masterclass in political loyalty, but it also sparks a critical debate:
Where is the line between allegiance to mentors and the need for democratic diversity and grassroots aspiration?
His words echo the structure of Lagos politics—built on loyalty, influence, and generational continuity—but at what cost?
As voters in Agege prepare for the polls, they may find themselves torn between the comfort of known names and the call for independent, merit-based leadership.
In a democracy, loyalty is noble—but it must not silence ambition or kill the spirit of competition. The question remains: Is this unity, or just a pause in dissent?
